Impact of Wound Hygiene incorporating an advanced antimicrobial gelling fiber dressing on surgical wounds: real-world evidence.

Introduction: Surgical wound complications impose a heavy burden on health systems.1 Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a leading cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality and are the result of the microbial burden that inhabits skin, mucous membranes, and cavities, and is capable of forming biofilms.2Methods: A prospective, real-world subgroup analysis of surgical wounds managed with the WHP incorporating a carboxymethylcellulose dressing containing ionic silver, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and benzethonium chloride* for approximately 4 weeks or as deemed clinically appropriate. The primary endpoint in this analysis was change in surgical wound status from baseline to final assessment, while secondary endpoints were changes in exudate levels, suspected biofilm, and local infection.Results:59 surgical wounds were included in the subgroup analysis, of which 55% were dehisced surgical wounds, 25% were open surgical wounds, and 19% were closed surgical wounds. Most healthcare professionals were general nurses (56%) or advanced practitioners (32%). Community clinics (34%) and hospitals (29%) were the most common clinical settings. Duration of the surgical wounds was 2-4 weeks in 23% of cases and 4-8 weeks in 24% of cases. Median treatment duration with the WHP was 32 days. At baseline, 57% of surgical wounds were either static (37%) or deteriorating (20%). At final assessment, 97% of the surgical wounds improved (58%) or healed (39%). Exudate levels were moderate (49%) or high (20%) at baseline, which decreased to 22% at final assessment. Biofilm was suspected in 73% of surgical wounds at baseline, which fell to 7% at final assessment. Local wound infection decreased from 46% at baseline to single case (1.7%) at final assessment.Discussion: Management of surgical wounds with the WHP resulted in healing or improvement in almost all surgical wounds by final assessment, with notable decreases in exudate level, suspected biofilm, and local infection. WHP aims to lower the incidence of SSI and dehiscence, prevent surgical wound deterioration, and promote healing.References:1. Murphy et al; A proactive healing strategy for tackling biofilm-based surgical site complications: Wound Hygiene Surgical. Journal of Wound Care Consensus Document Vol 33, No 5 (Suppl 5D), May 2024 2. Zabaglo M, Sharman T. Postoperative wound infection. StatPearls. 2024. http://www. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560533/ (accessed February 2024)